Texans brace for showdown of AFC's top two teams

October 15, 2012|Reuters

--P Donnie Jones did a tremendous job in the loss to the Packers. He averaged 51.5 yards on four punts, including a 45.8-yard net. For the season, his gross is 46.7 yards. His net is 39.5. Jones is on a pace to set team records in both statistics.

--K Shayne Graham, 34, is in his first season with the Texans. He replaced Neil Rackers, who scored 135 points last season. Graham is 11-for-12 on field goals, and he's scored 53 points. That puts him on a pace for 141. His only miss was from 52 yards. He connected on a 51-yarder in the loss to Green Bay.

--QB Matt Schaub has eight touchdown passes and four interceptions. He's on a pace for only 21 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. His game high for touchdown passes was four at Denver. His high for interceptions was two against Green Bay. Schaub has protected the ball well. His wide receivers are having trouble getting open.

--RB Arian Foster has been getting the ball inside the 5-yard line, and he has scored eight touchdowns. He's on a pace for 21 touchdowns, making him a fantasy darling. Even when he's failed to generate yardage, like in the Green Bay, he still scored on two 1-yard runs.

INJURY IMPACT

--RG Antoine Caldwell, a starter, left the Packers game because of a concussion. He will be evaluated this week to determine his availability for the Baltimore game. Coach Gary Kubiak said Caldwell is undergoing the NFL's concussion protocol.

--DE Tim Jamison left the Packers game because of an injury to his Achilles tendon. He's out for the season after an MRI showed a tear.

--SS Quintin Demps (forearm) didn't play against the Packers. He's recovering from surgery to repair a broken forearm. Coach Gary Kubiak said there's a chance Demps could return against Baltimore. More than likely, the Texans will wait until after their bye week.

REPORT CARD VS. PACKERS

PASSING OFFENSE: D -- Matt Schaub was under tremendous pressure from the Packers' pass rush from the first time he dropped back. The offensive line was terrible, for the most part. Schaub entered the game with two interceptions and three sacks. He was intercepted twice and sacked three times. He had no touchdown passes and a 56.6 passer rating. The receivers did most of their damage when the game was out of reach, and the Packers were playing loose to prevent big plays.

RUSHING OFFENSE: F -- The Packers stuffed Arian Foster. He had been averaging 26 carries and more than 100 yards. He carried 17 times for 29 yards and a 1.7-yard average. His long run was 5 yards. He did score two touchdowns on 1-yard runs. If not for Justin Forsett rushing for 47 yards on seven carries in mop-up duty, think how bad the overall average of 3.2 yards per carry could have been.

PASS DEFENSE: F-minus -- The Texans allowed Aaron Rodgers to tie a Packers record with six touchdown passes. Cornerback Johnathan Joseph, the team's best defensive back, was torched by Jordy Nelson, who finished with three touchdown catches. James Jones had two TD grabs. Kareem Jackson, the other corner, also got burned. Overall, it was a terrible performance by the defensive backs.

RUSH DEFENSE: B-minus -- The Texans limited the Packers to 99 yards rushing and a 3.2-yard average per carry. A lot of the yards came in the fourth quarter when the Packers were running out the clock.

SPECIAL TEAMS: D -- If not for K Shayne Graham connecting from 51 yards and P Donnie Jones having a 51.5-yard gross and a 45.8-yard net, this grade would have been an F. The special teams committed three penalties, including two that gave the Packers first downs on touchdown drives.

COACHING: F -- Basically, the Texans weren't ready to play in their first appearance on NBC. They were horrible on offense, terrible on defense and horrendous on special teams. They ought to stick a finger down their collective throats and get rid of this performance before the Ravens come to town.